Sign.



0. ELLIOT. SIGN. APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1911.

1,110,910.} I Patented Sept. 15,1914;

- ticularly the relation views.

. EDSTATEs P onnio.

oALEB'ELLIor; or CLINTON, IOWA.

. SIGN. J 3 Specification of Letters Patent. Patmb d t; 5 119141; I Application filed May 29, 1911'. Serial No. 629,975. To all whom it may concern: a locking key 8 is em 10 ed which is ref- Be it known that I, CALEB ELLIOT, a citierably of the form shbwfi and consists of a zen of the United States, residing at Clinton, section of resilient wire fashioned to afford nton and State of Iowa, and useful Improvehich the following is a in the county of Cli have invented new ments in Signs, of w specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signs of that type which embodies a casing inolosing one or more electric lamps an t wall fitted with lenses which having its fron are arrangedflto form letters, words, symbols,

or ornamental configurations.

The invention relates more particularly to the manner of connecting the lenses and the ey are associated, and it plate with which th has for its object to provide a connection of simple and inexpensive character and of such nature that the opening in which the shank of the lens is fitted is efficiently sealed against the entrance of moisture. y An embodiment of the invention is dis closed in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the plate which carries the lenses, showing more parof the lens locking key. Fig. 2 1s a section through said plate, showing a lens and locking key in side elevation. *ig. 3 is a section through said vplate and through a lens fitted therein, and Fig. 4 is an enlargeddetail section in the same plane as Fig...3.-

i 'l A I S milar characters of reference designate the key corresponding parts throughout the several The lens-isindicatefi generally by the let-. ter A andthe plate with which it is associated by the letter B. The lens is provided with a shank 1 of reduced diameter and circular contour and which is circumscribed by a shoulder 2. The plate B has a circular opening '3 through which the shank 1 is insertedlajnd in which the shoulder 2 has a relatively snug fit. The'lens has the portion o iifits under face which surrounds the shoulder 2, grooved as at 4, the groove/4 having such extent as to alford an annular bearingshoulder 5 at the outer edge of the lens. and against which the plate B is held. The f shank 1 is formed with an annular groove 6, which isoffnon-circular cross secntial cam surface 7 is f the shoulders and amply sufficient and unifor ey 8 is perfectly ontact throughout its extent with the inner s wn in Fig. 1. In B one of the legs 9 other 11d outwardly over the inner. fac hank until it passes the edge thereof, at which time it snaps into the groove. To facilitate the manipulation of the legs of the key, the extremities of said legs are out-turned as at 11, and the inner connected portions 12 ofsaid legs are extended angularly from the bends 10, so as to have a relatively close association. 8 1s engagedin the groove 6, in the manner explained, its legs 9, having a tendency to spring together, and acting on the cam face 7, force the lens inwardly, whereby the shoulder 5 bears with considerable pressure against the plate B. The key 8 at the same time serves as a positive lock for the lens, owing to the-fact that it lies partly in the groove '6 and artly against the plate B. Said key also tends to produce a slight displacement of portions of the plate B imme- ,diately surrounding the opening 3, into the groove 4 and the effect of this action is to augment the securityof'the engagement ofsaid plate, such engageson of the effects stated, in to provide ure through the ment being, ,by re against the entrance of moist opening 3. 1 The particular construction of the key 8 is of advantage since it enables said keyto be readily and quickl engaged and disengaged in amanner which produces as lit as possible on the key itself.

Havi

claimz s 1. In a sign, in combination, a plate having an opening, a lens having a shank which is inserted through the opening and having a shoulder circumscribing the shank and which fits snugly within the opening, the under face of the lens adjacent the shoulder ng fully .described my invention 1';

tle stress I being fashioned'ito, beariagainst the plate,

' the shank having an annular'groove' 'lmme diately adjacent the shoulder which groove has a cross section that provides a cam face, and a lens locking key composed of a section of resilient wire fashioned to provide coacting legs which are engaged in the groove at opposite sides thereof and lie partly in the groove and partly against the plate, said legs acting on the cam face and.

tending to draw the lens inwardly and to cause a secure contacting engagement between the-underface of the lens and the portion of the plate adjacent thereto.

2. In a sign, in combination, a plate having an opening, a lens having a shank which 1s inserted through the opening, having a shoulder circumscribing the shank, and hav- 2.5 ioned to provide coacting1 w enga ed in the 'groovein t ing an opening, a

'of the lensand the portion of the plate adj jacent thereto, the legs also acting on thei plate and tending to produce a slight displacement thereof into the first named; groove. i j

3. In a sign, in combination, a plate hav- 1 lens having a shank which is inserted through the opening, having a shoulder circumscribing the shank, and hav-. ing a groove immediately adjacent the shoulder,

partly in the groove and ing at an of the lens and the jacent thereto,

the latter fitting snugly within the the shank having an I annular groove immediately adjacent the shoulder which roove has a curved cross section, and a lens locking key composed of a section of resilient wire fashioned to provide coacting legs which are engaged in the groove in the shank at opposite sides thereof, and lie partly against the plate, said legs acting on the plate and tending to produce a slight displacement thereof into the first named groove.

.4. In a sign, in combination, a plate having an opening, a lens having a reduc d shank which is inserted through the opening, having a shoulder circumscribing' the shank and having a shoulder, the latter fitting snugly within the opening, the shank having an annular groove adjacent the shoulder which groove has a cross section that provides a cam face and a lens locking key which consists of a 1 65 section of resilient wire fashioned tofprovide resilient legs, each leg having an intermediate-bend and an out-turned extremity, the

connected nner portions of the legs extendangle from the bends and having a-relatively close association, the legs enin the groove in the shank at oppogagin. site sldes thereof and lying partly inthe groove and partly against the plate, the legs acting on the cam face and tending to draw the lens inwardly and to cause a secure contacting engagement between the underface ortion of the plate adthe' egs also acting on the plate andtending to produce a shght displacement thereof into the first named groove.

' In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wltnesses. 1

v CALEB ELLIOT. 4

Witnesses: f r

1 JO N HANSEN, v ALBERT HART.

groove adjacent the 

